Report: Ludvig Aberg first to take advantage of PGA Tour rule update
Sweden's Ludvig Aberg became the first player to take advantage of a PGA Tour rule change that got Matthew Fitzpatrick hot under the collar.
Ludvig Aberg became the first PGA Tour player to take advantage of a rule update, according to a report.
Per the Associated Press, the Swede was the first golfer to immediately swap his driver on the course after cracking the face.
Aberg hit his drive out of bounds on the 18th hole during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and noticed a small dent.
A rules official approved the crack and Aberg was able to attach the replacement there and then as he kept a spare in his bag.
Under the previous rule, Aberg would've had to wait for a member of his team to go and grab a spare from the locker room.
But Model Local Rule G-9 was updated at the start of the season to allow players to keep a spare head in their tour bags.
PGA Tour rules official Steve Rintoul said they pushed hard for the change as the old method was "so archaic".
"A guy discovers a crack on the 10th tee, his caddie can go to the locker room," he told AP.
"If it's on the 14th tee, it might be two holes before he gets it.
"We like the fact if a club is cracked or broken, it can be replaced right there. The old method of the replacement was so archaic."
Aberg ended up making a bogey on the hole. He finished the signature event in a share of 37th.
The 26-year-old has had a tough start to the season. He withdrew from the American Express after two rounds with an illness and missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open.
He is looking to bounce back with a strong performance at the Genesis Invitational where he is the defending champion.
Model Local Rule G-9 was previously updated for the 2025 season, following the controversy at the 2024 BMW Championship.
Matthew Fitzpatrick noticed a crack in his driver mid-round and asked a rules official if he could replace it.
Despite the visible dent, Fitzpatrick was not allowed to replace it as the rule stated it had to be broken or significantly damaged.
His playing partner, Scottie Scheffler, took the Englishman's side as the situation unfolded.
Hot mics picked up Fitzpatrick describing the situation as "outrageous" and an "absolute disgrace".
Remind yourself of the moment here:
Matt Fitzpatrick, 36th in the FedExCup entering the week, called for a ruling for a driver crack.
— PGA TOUR LIVE (@PGATOURLIVE) August 25, 2024
Under the USGA’s Model Local Rule G-9, a club is not replaceable solely because of a crack, and he was not permitted to replace it at the time due to lack of significant damage. pic.twitter.com/X5kEPkee1q
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